Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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1112. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the review of the security of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, which An Taoiseach requested the Garda Commissioner to carry out; the actions that have been carried out as part of this review; when the outcome of the review will be communicated to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1352/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, for good reason it is not the practice to deal publicly with security matters and it would not be appropriate for me to give details of the arrangements that may be put in place in this regard. To do so would be contrary to the public interest.

The personal safety of individuals is a priority, and the arrangements for security operate dynamically on the basis of an ongoing threat assessment and a risk analysis carried out by An Garda Síochána who are the operational experts in these matters. Arrangements in individual cases are subject to review by An Garda Síochána, having regard to the particular circumstances and in consultation with certain office holders. An Garda Síochána has engaged both with office holders and with the Houses of the Oireachtas to ensure appropriate briefing, advice and/or security measures, where necessary, are made available in the interests of personal safety.

More generally, my Department and An Garda Síochána keep all security matters, including the safety and security of public representatives, under constant review.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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1115. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been any review of the Garda vetting system to avoid a situation where the same person is required to go through more than one vetting by different organisations within 12 months to fulfil the criteria for different roles, such as a person qualified and vetted to be a counsellor who has also been required to get a second Garda vetting to continue as a teacher; if there is a possibility of creating a system where a single Garda vetting could be transferred between roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1405/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the Garda vetting system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

However, I am advised that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. This important work needs to be carried out thoroughly and correctly.

I can also advise the Deputy that the Garda Vetting Review Group was established in April 2021, and meets regularly to discuss potential amendments to vetting legislation. This group includes members of the National Vetting Bureau in An Garda Síochána, officials from my Department, from Tusla, and from other relevant stakeholders.

The primary focus of the Group is strengthening the vetting legislation in an effective manner, including any changes which may be possible in relation to multi-purpose vetting or re-vetting. I expect to receive the Group’s report by Easter.